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Defense Security Service

A Department of Defense (DoD) agency, the Defense Security Service (DSS) is responsible for supervising industrial security,
assisting with personnel security investigations and conducting security training and education.

The Defense Security Service was originally known as the Defense Investigative Service (DIS), which was established in 1972.
The name change occurred in 1999.
The DSS was created as a response to President Richard M. Nixon's approval to reorganize and consolidate the national intelligence community.

Prior to the creation of the service and the subsequent consolidation, personnel security investigations were conducted by four DoD agencies:
the U.S. Army Intelligence Command, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Command, the Naval Investigative Service, and the Office of Special Investigations, Air Force.

According to its website, the DSS "supports national security and the warfighter, secures the nation's technological base, and oversees the protection of US and foreign classified information in the hands of industry."

On October 2, 1972, the Defense Security Service officially became operational in every state and was directed by Brigadier General Joseph Cappucci,
former commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
Currently, the service is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, with field offices located throughout the country.